Last summer was a bit of a tough one for me. We had moved in right at the tail end of winter and just as I had gotten the last box unpacked, it was time to get a vegetable bed installed. Spring, it comes on pretty quick around here, and just when it seems like you have everything finally planted and under control, the bugs and ticks and the humidity can keep you hiding inside at times in inconvenient intervals.
Or at least the weather keeps ME hiding inside. 😉
The change in climate has taken a bit of getting used to, and I’m actually liking the whole all hands on deck approach that spring seems to bring to our little neck of the woods, but one thing I’m having a hard time keeping on top of is ALL THE VINES!!! The vines are EVERYWHERE here.
This picture was actually taken last summer. I had been so busy working in other areas of the garden, that I had totally forgotten to keep up with a side patio area in our yard.
At first, the vines looked sort of dreamy, sort of like a hidden garden where one could sit with an afternoon cup of tea or something. I think even some cottage roses came into bloom at one point in that spot last summer.
But then reality kicked in when I saw a teeny tiny tick walking by looking for a victim to fling itself onto and that’s when I decided the vines had to go. If I’ve learned anything from gardening here in New England this past year, it’s that less is more when it comes to gardening.
And although I would LOVE to have a Tasha Tudor style cottage garden at some point in my life, I think that time will come when I am old and grey and I am paying someone else to do my garden maintenance for me. 🙂 🙂 🙂
But hey, back to those vines!
Vines are excellent for wreath making. {Maybe that’s why Carole has so many different wreaths?}
And if you’ve never made one before, they are so insanely easy to make. All you really need is a pair of pruning shears and a round form of some kind {I like to use the widest part on a flower pot}.
Basically all you do is form the vines in a circular shape.
And then when you have reached the desired thickness for your wreath, wrap a few of the wider vines around the wreath tightly and tuck the ends of the vine into the wreath.
You can use a bit of twine or floral wire if you need to for a more secure finish, but I’ve found I can get away with just using the vines to finish off the wreath. Strip the leaves or leave them on and let nature take it course.
Summer, and all it weeds, it’s here. Let’s embrace it. 🙂
Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, and happy pruning!
~Mavis
Katherine says
I don’t know why but I’ve never thought about using the vines I pull up around our yard to make a wreath. I could hang them on our wooden fence.
Deb K says
This looks like bittersweet…or friggin’ bittersweet as we call it! It will take over and eventually kill a tree or shrub that it encompasses. I am forever pulling that crap up, and I think poison ivy travels along the same underground path. Be careful
Nancy D says
Simple AND beautiful, Thanks Mavis!
Mary G says
That’s definitely Japanese Bittersweet–a nonnative invasive plant– I pull it up and let it dry out in the sun if I find it in my yard. It’s a nasty plant that chokes out native plants.
Linda says
Your vine wreaths, sans leaves and wrapped with a little twine to stabilize them, are another thing you can sell in your roadside stand. Not everyone is as crafty as you are, and even though simple, many people would just like to have something like that done for them. Make some money from your annoying overabundance!